Now that school is out and my kids are home all day, I want to make sure to plan some fun activities for us to do together, and of course, they need to be affordable. I want to use this time to make memories, without breaking the bank to do it. Having planned, fun activities gives us something to look forward to, and it gets the kids out of the house. Plus it’s a good motivation for them to get their chores out of the way. Who said that? Anyway, here are several options that we enjoy. I hope they give you some good ideas.

1. Bookstore Day – My kids absolutely love this one. We go to Barnes & Noble. They spend some time looking through the books. Then they choose one each to buy. We take our books to the comfy chairs or the coffee shop in the store, get a drink, and just read quietly together. You can buy a book for yourself to read, or a magazine. I usually just read something on my Kindle. A book and a drink does cost something, but is decently less than many family activity places. Usually this keeps us busy for a few hours. The time, of course, depends on the children’s ages. Buying a book to read aloud to younger children works if there is an appropriate and comfy spot to do so. Having the change of scenery and the new book makes this activity more special than just reading at home.
   
2. Library Day – This is a similar idea, but is completely free. Finding a cozy spot to read together at the library makes this more of an event than simply selecting books and going home. Even young readers like to stop and enjoy their new books on the spot. Most libraries have a kids area, which is great for this. Older kids can join you in a quiet adult spot where you can all read silently together. Libraries also have a variety of free activities for all ages.
   
3. Picnic in the Park – Picnics are a great way to get out of the house and have a day out without breaking the bank. It can be made into an event by including different activities. Food time, of course, and then playground time are of course a given, but it doesn’t have to end there. Bringing a ball for a family sports game can be another activity, and some parks have nature trails where the family can go on a walk together. This way a picnic in the park can become a family day out.
   
4. Mall Day – Malls have lots of fun things to do together that can be an adventure for kids. There’s a play area for younger kids, which can be really fun for them and allow them to burn off some energy. The food court meal is a special treat, especially for families that don’t eat out a lot. To save money, you can schedule the trip to avoid mealtimes and plan a treat together about halfway through. Older kids can be given a budget to spend, and can spend time searching for the perfect item to fit within it. It’s also a great chance to take care of some errands if there are any clothing items they need. It is also good to make sure they understand beforehand that some of the stores will be for you, and they should be patient while you browse just as you are for them. Depending on the ages of the kids, your stuff may be a very small part of the day, but it’s a good chance to start teaching this idea.
   
5. IKEA – If you have an IKEA near you this can be a great day out with little kids. They have Smaland, a childcare area where kids can stay while you browse. This is better as a weekday activity, because the wait for a spot can be long on weekends. It’s first come, first served. Putting the kids in Smaland gives mom a little time to herself to browse or have coffee in peace, and then you can pick up the kids and take them for a yummy and affordable lunch at the café.
   
6. Browse a Historic Downtown – Towns with a historic downtown are a great family activity. They can feel like a connection with the past while you are in the present. Usually they are very walkable, with a lot of interesting stores and eateries close together. There are signs that explain some of the history of the area or of the buildings you see. You can walk around, read a little of the history, browse some shops, and have a meal or a treat, like ice cream. Some will have a playground or a square where kids can run around. There is usually a nice community feel to these sorts of places.
   
7. Farmer’s Market – These are usually free to browse. The cost depends on what, if anything, you choose to buy. The nice thing is that most of what they sell is what you’d buy anyway at the grocery store. It may cost more, but you are also getting a family activity and supporting local farmers. Besides, the quality of the produce, and the selection, will be much better. Fruits and vegetables are displayed in an attractive and inviting way that’s sure to catch your kids’ eyes. You can show them varieties and colors that are not usually found at the grocery store. Plus the flavors are much nicer. Kids will be excited to cook with and eat the special produce they picked out.
   
8. Nature Walk – Taking the kids on a walk through the woods or in a park with trails is a great summer activity. There are free apps that can identify the plants you come across. I use Picture This. There are also apps to identify bugs and rocks. Have the kids take small notebooks to draw or write what they discover. Some kids might like to check out cool rocks, others might like to draw the butterflies, bugs, flowers or leaves they see. Point out what makes each of them different and unique, and have the kids do the same.
   
9. Life Skills  –  Summer is a great time to work on those life skills that there may not have been a ton of time for during the school year. Yes, there’s more time to make sure the usual chores get done, and that’s a start. Summer is also a great time for training them in some other life skills as well. It’s important not to make this seem like drudgery, Rather, see it and present it to them as a way to learn some skills that will give them more independence and control, like a VIP glimpse into the inner workings of your family. How you do this depends on the ages of the kids, but there are a lot of options.
   
   Cooking is a great one. Kids love to have a say in what we make. Most ages can help with cooking to some extent. My two year old loved to mash potatoes and she could peel garlic. Older kids can get out ingredients and learn to measure. Solid readers can check the next step on the recipe. Still older kids can handle veggie prep and some stove-related tasks.
   
   Laundry is another of these life skills. There are so many steps to laundry that even kids who already help out with some parts can learn about other parts. Toddlers can pair socks that match and fold washcloths. Slightly older kids can sort colors. Older elementary schoolers can learn to add detergent and start a load and learn more complex folding. Doing the whole process start to finish can come later, after all the parts have been taught separately.
   
   Kids can also help create a schedule for their days. Even a loose one will teach this skill as well as give them an idea what to expect from day to day. There’s no need to schedule out every hour, but it empowers them to be given a say in what they do and include the activities that are most important to them.
   
   Hopefully this list has given you some ideas for fun activities that will make memories with your kids, help them learn in a fun way, and get you all out of the house this summer without spending a lot of money. Let me know in the comments which was your favorite.